Phase I clinical trial on adjuvant active immunotherapy of human gliomas with GD2-conjugate

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and potential therapeutic benefits of an adjuvant active immunotherapy using a tumour specific ganglioside (GD2) conjugate for the adjuvant treatment of recurrent or progressive gliomas. Seven patients with proven GD2 expression in surgical specimens underwent a vaccination course with GD2-KLH/MPL-A conjugate. The follow-up was performed according to WHO guidelines regarding common toxicity criteria. Antibody titres against the ganglioside and the adjuvants were analysed. All patients developed a local type 4 reaction. Anti-GD2-antibody titres could not be detected, despite high titres against the immunoadjuvants. No tumour regression was observed. The disease remained stable for a median of 21.5 weeks (6-34 weeks). The median survival time after the first immunization was 47 weeks. The medial total survival time was 76 weeks. Adverse effects have not been observed. Active GD2-KLH/MPL-A immunization was technically feasible, but did not elicit anti-GD2 antibody generation.